# Why is money wasted changing welcome signs when a new governor is elected? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112 "2017-07-12T17:57:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/1 "2017-07-12T17:57:08Z")
Not sure if this is the right forum but it dawned on me that a ton of money is collectively wasted in this country on sign changes whenever the politician in charge changes. For instance, at each border you frequently see signs saying Welcome to State X with an added sign “Joe Schmo, Governor”. We drove from Maryland to Florida and Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia had personalized governor mentions. I remember that when I lived in New York State that it was done there too. Also at county parks, there are often Welcome signs that add a list of politicos involved, like the Town Supervisor, or County Executive. Who cares? I know its minor in the scheme of things but shouldn’t money not be wasted on vanity? Couldn’t a sign read something like : "The Office of the Governor Welcomes You To YOUR STATE NAME HERE " Done. One sign that could last decades. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/2 "2017-07-12T18:16:24Z")
Does every state do this? Rod Blagojevich’s name was plastered over everything when he was governor of Illinois, but I don’t think I recall Pat Quinn or Bruce Rauner’s name on highways or welcome signs. I also wonder about the utility of all those signs I see in municipalities all over this area, and elsewhere too: “Collinsville, IL, Home of Joe Bloe, Junior Varsity High School Track Champion, 2003” ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/3 "2017-07-12T18:27:55Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Does every state do this? Rod Blagojevich’s name was plastered over everything when he was governor of Illinois, but I don’t think I recall Pat Quinn or Bruce Rauner’s name on highways or welcome signs. > > I also wonder about the utility of all those signs I see in municipalities all over this area, and elsewhere too: “Collinsville, IL, Home of Joe Bloe, Junior Varsity High School Track Champion, 2003” They do it in Ohio as well. Signs need to be replaced from time to time, they get old and grungy, and it is the first thing that people see when they come into your state. If there are going to be any signs replaced on a more regular basis than absolutely necessary, those signs would be it. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/4 "2017-07-12T18:35:15Z")
California doesn’t do it - the signs just say “Welcome to California”, with a drawing of some California poppies (the state flower) on them. It doesn’t appear to be done in several other western states, either. Maybe it’s one of those “east of the Mississippi” things. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/5 "2017-07-12T18:54:10Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > California doesn’t do it - the signs just say “Welcome to California”, with a drawing of some California poppies (the state flower) on them. It doesn’t appear to be done in several other western states, either. Maybe it’s one of those “east of the Mississippi” things. Ours are just green or blue and say Welcome to New York with a subheading The Empire State. So not an “east of the Mississippi” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/6 "2017-07-12T19:05:31Z")
Moved to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/7 "2017-07-12T19:09:54Z")
West Virginia used to have signs that simply read “Welcome to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia”. A couple of decades ago, those were replaced by signs that had the governor’s name on them, and a lot of folks were upset by it. The current signs still have the current governor’s name, though the name is a lot smaller on the sign these days, and they put “Wild and Wonderful” back onto the sign to appease everyone that was upset by the sign change. To be fair, West Virginia doesn’t have many highways going in and out of it, so they probably don’t have to make up too many signs. It’s still a waste, though (IMHO). Pennsylvania (where I live now) signs just say “Pennsylvania Welcomes You” with “State of Independence” under that in much smaller letters. There’s a phone number for tourism at the bottom of the sign (800-VISIT-PA) along with a URL for the state web page, but no governor name anywhere. As for the township where I live, their sign hasn’t been changed in several decades. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/8 "2017-07-12T19:10:43Z")
the more things that have your name on them, the more people know your name. It helps at reelection time! and if the sign already has the last gov’s name on it, since you as the new gov have to pay to change the signs anyway, why not put your name on it? mc ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/9 "2017-07-12T19:27:20Z")
South Dakota just puts one up at the exit to the governor’s home town. The ones on the border just say: ‘Welcome to South Dakota, Great Faces, Great Places’. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/10 "2017-07-12T19:34:56Z")
Prisoners need those jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/11 "2017-07-12T20:55:02Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > California doesn’t do it - the signs just say “Welcome to California”, with a drawing of some California poppies (the state flower) on them. It doesn’t appear to be done in several other western states, either. Maybe it’s one of those “east of the Mississippi” things. Minnesota doesn’t do it. The signs (permanent, stone & wood monuments on major roads) just say "Welcome to Minnesota. Even on the part east of the Mississippi. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/12 "2017-07-12T21:30:40Z")
Our signs in Arizona just say, “Arizona. The Grand Canyon State welcomes you,” and have an image of the state flag on them. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/29/c5/5e/29c55eb8919a5f80728bd4bf19a94a1a.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/29/c5/5e/29c55eb8919a5f80728bd4bf19a94a1a.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/13 "2017-07-12T21:52:43Z")
I also noticed this when I moved east, and it has always struck me as wasteful. > [@mikecurtis](#): > > the more things that have your name on them, the more people know your name. It helps at reelection time! Well, the people from out of state can’t vote for you, and the people in state shouldn’t need a road sign to know who their governor is. > [@](#): > > and if the sign already has the last gov’s name on it, since you as the new gov have to pay to change the signs anyway, why not put your name on it? Very short-sighted; you’re just guaranteeing that the next governor (and there will be a next governor) has to spend that money again. Get elected, take the former governor’s names off the signs, and leave that part blank. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/14 "2017-07-12T22:53:50Z")
it is simple why. The vanity of politicians. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/15 "2017-07-12T23:43:20Z")
Several counties near me put the _county engineer_’s name on signs at the entrances. This is not normally a very prominent elected office, but one of the engineer’s responsibilities is…deciding what the sign says. > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Pennsylvania (where I live now) signs just say “Pennsylvania Welcomes You” with “State of Independence” under that in much smaller letters. There’s a phone number for tourism at the bottom of the sign (800-VISIT-PA) along with a URL for the state web page, but no governor name anywhere. The “State of Independence” part used to be governor’s name, up through [Ed Rendell](http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/pennsylvania/images/pawel.jpg). > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Signs need to be replaced from time to time, they get old and grungy, and it is the first thing that people see when they come into your state. If there are going to be any signs replaced on a more regular basis than absolutely necessary, those signs would be it. Sometimes the rest of the sign is still good, though, because they’ll just cover up the old names with the new ones. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/16 "2017-07-12T23:45:01Z")
Cuomo doesn’t seem to have done it with the border signs in NY, but I know previous governors have. Judging by the signs I am most familiar with ( the welcome signs to each borough of NYC and the signs outside state prisons) , the signs are not necessarily replaced when the names change. Just the names are replaced- see [Bronx](https://www.google.com/search?q=welcome+to+nyc+signs&tbm=isch&imgil=Mcr95OyffEhd-M%253A%253BZ7_o_v-CMwhCyM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbrokelyn.com%25252Fsign-here-and-here-and-here%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=Mcr95OyffEhd-M%253A%252CZ7_o_v-CMwhCyM%252C_&usg=__oe8PyvZX2O7yc-OefOiq2yF7xXI%3D&biw=1600&bih=770&ved=0ahUKEwjS1PWe9YTVAhVCdT4KHXxmABwQyjcIOg&ei=M7NmWZLvAcLq-QH8zIHgAQ#imgrc=0NFLckxLFAvC4M:) and [Sing Sing](https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sing-sing-correctional-facility-ossining?select=qO6dXhcUJEXhiPVFHc6zAA) It’s easier to see it on the Bronx sign, but the whole sign doesn’t have to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/17 "2017-07-12T23:55:41Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Several counties near me put the _county engineer_’s name on signs at the entrances. This is not normally a very prominent elected office, but one of the engineer’s responsibilities is…deciding what the sign says. I’d get impeached. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/18 "2017-07-13T01:11:01Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Very short-sighted; you’re just guaranteeing that the next governor (and there will be a next governor) has to spend that money again. Get elected, take the former governor’s names off the signs, and leave that part blank. Problem solved. In IL it’s not just on the signs at the border, its on all the signs. (and not just state signs, but mayors are on city signs as well) If every time you see a sign my name is on it, you will know I’m gov. That works in reverse too; every time you see my name you know I’m gov. My name and the title governor are the same. When you go into the voting booth to vote for gov, who are you gonna think of? what problem? If I have to spend money to change the signs anyway, and it doesn’t cost anymore to put my name on the new sign, why wouldn’t I put my name on the new ones? It’s the next guys problem! Tradition! You clearly don’t understand politics! mc ---
**Author:** ![Toledo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@Toledo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toledo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/19 "2017-07-13T01:58:55Z")
Two things come to mind: We here in T-town have had a certain Mr. Finkbiner (sp?) as mayor several non-consecutive times. Apparently after the first term they threw out the signs. After the second term they kept them just in case. He had his third term, and now the signs are in storage somewhere, he did run again but did not win. When he was last unelected, a guy named Jack Ford was elected. He replaced the signs with new one with no name on them. Good for him! However, guess what the next mayor did. Yup. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112/20 "2017-07-13T02:20:40Z")
Even odder is the name of the Illinois Secretary of State is featured prominently at the top of Illinois driver’s licenses. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-money-wasted-changing-welcome-signs-when-a-new-governor-is-elected/791112.md?page=2)